Radio Revenues Up 6% In First Half Of 2010

Best Results In Almost 7 Years

August 20, 2010 at 10:13 AM (PT)

It was a good first six months in Radio, as it enjoyed a revenue gain of 6%, led by back-to-back quarters posting increases at that same level. According to the RAB, this was the best six-month performance since Q3 2000, when revenue increased 8%.

More than half of Radio’s top sixteen categories showed increased spending, collectively adding 15% for a half-year gain of more than $500 million; within these key categories, growth came from perennial Radio advertisers as well as accounts new to Radio’s airwaves.

"Radio benefited from strong returns in top advertiser categories in Q2, led by Automotive, Financial Services and in our largest category, Communications, which grew 14%," RAB Pres./CEO JEFF HALEY said. "This reinforces Radio’s strategic importance to a wide range of marketers."

"Every revenue source is up in first half, led by Digital (+22%) and National Spot (+17%)," he continued. "The momentum we've built through the first half bodes well for Radio compared to other traditional media going forward."